Storm system formed far west of S.A. days ago

Updated 1:18 am, Sunday, May 26, 2013

Photo: San Antonio Express-News Graphic

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Photo: San Antonio Express-News Graphic

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A flood-monitoring software package developed and used in Europe has been installed in San Antonio to help emergency responders plan for and react to life-threatening storms. Here are images of San Antonio's last major flood. less

A flood-monitoring software package developed and used in Europe has been installed in San Antonio to help emergency responders plan for and react to life-threatening storms. Here are images of San Antonio's ... more

Photo: Express-News

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Marco Fairchild, left, and Gary Garza, right, help Sueann Schaller from her car after she drove it into floodwaters on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. less

Marco Fairchild, left, and Gary Garza, right, help Sueann Schaller from her car after she drove it into floodwaters on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Marco Fairchild, left, and Gary Garza, right, help Sueann Schaller from her car after she drove it into floodwaters on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. less

Marco Fairchild, left, and Gary Garza, right, help Sueann Schaller from her car after she drove it into floodwaters on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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A bus is stranded in the water on Blanco Road near Basse during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A bus is stranded in the water on Blanco Road near Basse during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Photo taken by stranded motorist Andy Staudt, who was stuck at an Exxon station Saturday morning at Hildebrand and Interstate 10. Staudt took pictures of some other cars in floodwaters on Hildebrand. He reported the drivers were "OK."

Photo taken by stranded motorist Andy Staudt, who was stuck at an Exxon station Saturday morning at Hildebrand and Interstate 10. Staudt took pictures of some other cars in floodwaters on Hildebrand. He

Fire department water rescue team members make their way through the water after checking a VIA bus that was flooded on McCullough just north of Basse. They found nobody in the bus on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013. less

Fire department water rescue team members make their way through the water after checking a VIA bus that was flooded on McCullough just north of Basse. They found nobody in the bus on Saturday morning, May 25, ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Police block a flooded portion of McCullough north of Basse where a bus is stranded in the water after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Police block a flooded portion of McCullough north of Basse where a bus is stranded in the water after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A vehicle is submerged off of U.S. 281 at Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A vehicle is submerged off of U.S. 281 at Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A car is lodged where rushing waters took it on Rhapsody near 281 during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013. The occupant died in the incident.

A car is lodged where rushing waters took it on Rhapsody near 281 during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013. The occupant died in the incident.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The scene in the 400 block of rhapsody where a woman whose vehicle was swept off the road tried to climb out and drowned. Photo: Jason Buch/ Express-News

The scene in the 400 block of rhapsody where a woman whose vehicle was swept off the road tried to climb out and drowned. Photo: Jason Buch/ Express-News

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A water rescue team searches for a child that was swept away in Cibolo Creek in Schertz on the afternoon of Saturday, May 25, 2013. A police spokesman said that two young people attempted to cross the creek on foot, and one was swept away by the rushing waters. less

A water rescue team searches for a child that was swept away in Cibolo Creek in Schertz on the afternoon of Saturday, May 25, 2013. A police spokesman said that two young people attempted to cross the creek on ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The railroad underpass on Roosevelt just north of Lone Star

The railroad underpass on Roosevelt just north of Lone Star

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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A portion of U.S. 281 is underwater at Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A portion of U.S. 281 is underwater at Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The Olmos Dam after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

The Olmos Dam after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The Olmos Basin Municipal Golf Course and Basse Road are underwater as a result of heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

The Olmos Basin Municipal Golf Course and Basse Road are underwater as a result of heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Damage from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

Damage from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

Damage from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

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Damage to a low water crossing south of Loop 410 caused by the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

Damage to a low water crossing south of Loop 410 caused by the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

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An orange traffic barrel lies in a section of sediment from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River just north of SW Military Driver in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture. less

An orange traffic barrel lies in a section of sediment from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River just north of SW Military Driver in this June 5, 2013 aerial ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

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The low water crossing below Espada Dam, which may have a design flaw and was damaged in the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River, is seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture. less

The low water crossing below Espada Dam, which may have a design flaw and was damaged in the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River, is seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

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Damage from the May 25, 2013 flooding along the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio River near the canoe chute can be seen in this June 5, 2013 aerial picture.

A man makes his way down Lockhill Selma near Iron Oak during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A man makes his way down Lockhill Selma near Iron Oak during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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People watch as a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter searches Cibolo Creek for a missing young person who was swept away by rushing waters on Saturday afternoon, May 25, 2013.

People watch as a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter searches Cibolo Creek for a missing young person who was swept away by rushing waters on Saturday afternoon, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Water rescuers and others watch for a young person who was swept away by the rushing waters of Cibolo Creek on Saturday afternoon, May 25, 2013. A police spokesman said that two young people attempted to walk or swim across the creek, and one was swept away. less

Water rescuers and others watch for a young person who was swept away by the rushing waters of Cibolo Creek on Saturday afternoon, May 25, 2013. A police spokesman said that two young people attempted to walk ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Rescuers in search search for a boy who was swept away by rushing water after heavy rains on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Rescuers in search search for a boy who was swept away by rushing water after heavy rains on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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The railroad underpass on Roosevelt just north of Lone Star

The railroad underpass on Roosevelt just north of Lone Star

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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Water pours out of the San Antonio River Flood Control Tunnel's outlet at Mission Reach, near Lone Star Blvd.

Water pours out of the San Antonio River Flood Control Tunnel's outlet at Mission Reach, near Lone Star Blvd.

Photo: Nolan Hicks / Express-News

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The south end of the floodwater tunnel

The south end of the floodwater tunnel

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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The south end of the floodwater tunnel

The south end of the floodwater tunnel

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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The river below the tunnel outlet

The river below the tunnel outlet

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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A bus is submerged on McCullough north of Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A bus is submerged on McCullough north of Basse after heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A car was washed onto the property of the SA Central Church on Woodlawn during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A car was washed onto the property of the SA Central Church on Woodlawn during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A fence was swept down off of Lockhill Selma and Blanco during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

A fence was swept down off of Lockhill Selma and Blanco during heavy rains in San Antonio on Saturday morning, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Residents including, from left, Louis Hall, with his children, Inessa Hall, 8, and Jovan Hall, 12, and Alfredo Argumdo with his daughter Jocelyn Belmares, 7, watch flooding on Crestfield St. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. less

Residents including, from left, Louis Hall, with his children, Inessa Hall, 8, and Jovan Hall, 12, and Alfredo Argumdo with his daughter Jocelyn Belmares, 7, watch flooding on Crestfield St. in the Westwood ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Alfredo Argumdo walks through flooded streets in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Alfredo Argumdo walks through flooded streets in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Jovan Hall, 12, and his sister, Inessa Hall, 8, check out the flooded intersection of Crestfield Street and Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Jovan Hall, 12, and his sister, Inessa Hall, 8, check out the flooded intersection of Crestfield Street and Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Katherine Clark watches flooding at Crestfield Street and Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Katherine Clark watches flooding at Crestfield Street and Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Raymond Bocanegra, left, talks with neighbors as he assess the damage to the home he rents on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Raymond Bocanegra, left, talks with neighbors as he assess the damage to the home he rents on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Raymond Bocanegra talks with his wife, Roxanne Bocanegra, right, as floodwaters pass by and through the home they rent with their three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. At peak flooding, the water was over a foot high rushing through their home and completely flooded their backyard. less

Raymond Bocanegra talks with his wife, Roxanne Bocanegra, right, as floodwaters pass by and through the home they rent with their three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Raymond Bocanegra watches the water rushing through the yard of the home he rents with his wife and three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The water was over a foot high coming in their home at the peak of the flooding and their backyard is completely flooded. less

Raymond Bocanegra watches the water rushing through the yard of the home he rents with his wife and three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Raymond Bocanegra tries to clear debris as water continues to rush through the yard of the home he rents with his wife and three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The water was over a foot high coming in their home at the peak of the flooding and their backyard is completely flooded. less

Raymond Bocanegra tries to clear debris as water continues to rush through the yard of the home he rents with his wife and three children on Castleridge Dr. in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Albert Rios holds a beer as he floats into the intersection of Castleridge Dr. and Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Albert Rios holds a beer as he floats into the intersection of Castleridge Dr. and Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Edmond Mays runs towards his boat after a passing truck forced him out of it as he paddled down Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Edmond Mays runs towards his boat after a passing truck forced him out of it as he paddled down Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Edmond Mays pulls his boat after a passing truck forced him out of it as he paddled down Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Edmond Mays pulls his boat after a passing truck forced him out of it as he paddled down Crestfield Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood off Military Dr. West on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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A car fell into a sinkhole on Wilson Avenue, just north of the intersection of Wilson and Woodlawn Avenue onnthe city's West Side. The driver is safe. Photo: Nora Lopez/ Express-News

A car fell into a sinkhole on Wilson Avenue, just north of the intersection of Wilson and Woodlawn Avenue onnthe city's West Side. The driver is safe. Photo: Nora Lopez/ Express-News

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Felix Fuentes and his wife Brandi Aldana braved the low water crossing at Chavaneaux Road and Commercial. Their vehicle subsequently stalled. According to Fuentes crossing through the area was Brandi's idea. A good Samaritan from the nearby pallet company stopped to help them push the vehicle out of the water. The water was so high that Brandi began to bail the water out from her Honda Civic. Photos by Steve ValdezFreelancer for the South Side Reporter

Felix Fuentes and his wife Brandi Aldana braved the low water crossing at Chavaneaux Road and Commercial. Their vehicle subsequently stalled. According to Fuentes crossing through the area was Brandi's idea. A

Floodwaters at Hildebrand and Interstate 10 left several motorists stranded. Debris is everywhere. Photo by John Tedesco / Express-News

Floodwaters at Hildebrand and Interstate 10 left several motorists stranded. Debris is everywhere. Photo by John Tedesco / Express-News

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This is facing south on McCullough Avenue about 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Basse Road intersection in the distance. Olmos Creek spread to about a half mile. There appears to be a large stranded vehicle near Basse. The Olmos Basin Golf Course to the left of the avenue is inundated. Photo: John W. Gonzalez/ Express-News

This is facing south on McCullough Avenue about 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Basse Road intersection in the distance. Olmos Creek spread to about a half mile. There appears to be a large stranded vehicle near

Barricades are up at New Braunfels and Austin Highway and also at Broadway and Austin Highway. One car is stalled in front of the McNay.

Barricades are up at New Braunfels and Austin Highway and also at Broadway and Austin Highway. One car is stalled in front of the McNay.

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Localized flooding shuts S. Alamo St. just before a short bridge that crosses the San Antonio River, near the Blue Star Arts Complex. Nolan Hicks/Express-News

Localized flooding shuts S. Alamo St. just before a short bridge that crosses the San Antonio River, near the Blue Star Arts Complex. Nolan Hicks/Express-News

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Children play in the flooded trail at Stone Oak Park on Saturday afternoon.

Children play in the flooded trail at Stone Oak Park on Saturday afternoon.

Photo: Abe Levy / San Antonio Express-News

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Frank Sanchez checks out the floodwaters flowing over the dam at Woodlawn Lake. Photo: John Tedesco/Express-News

Frank Sanchez checks out the floodwaters flowing over the dam at Woodlawn Lake. Photo: John Tedesco/Express-News

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A blue recycling bin and mattress were among the debris that washed up at Woodlawn Lake. Photo: Rachel Benavidez/ Express-News

A blue recycling bin and mattress were among the debris that washed up at Woodlawn Lake. Photo: Rachel Benavidez/ Express-News

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Brian Gonzales, 3, checks out the floodwaters at Woodlawn Lake with his family. Photo by John Gonzalez/ Express-News

Brian Gonzales, 3, checks out the floodwaters at Woodlawn Lake with his family. Photo by John Gonzalez/ Express-News

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Puddles, the dog owned by the Olivarez girls, was rescued by their mother, Celia Olivarez, after she returned to the home shortly after it was flooded with several feet of water.

Puddles, the dog owned by the Olivarez girls, was rescued by their mother, Celia Olivarez, after she returned to the home shortly after it was flooded with several feet of water.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Flooded kennel at Animal Care Services.

Flooded kennel at Animal Care Services.

Photo: Courtesy Animal Care Services

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A group of kayakers being told to go away by the park police

A group of kayakers being told to go away by the park police

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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A group of kayakers wanting to get on the river

A group of kayakers wanting to get on the river

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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The SA River at Eagleland

The SA River at Eagleland

Photo: Markus Haas / Express-News

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View of Olmos Golf Course clubhouse during the height of the flooding on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

View of Olmos Golf Course clubhouse during the height of the flooding on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Courtesy Of Jim Roschek

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A green is the only dry place on the course at Olmos Basin Golf Course after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

A green is the only dry place on the course at Olmos Basin Golf Course after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin / For The San Antonio Express-News

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Duck in water, possibly rescue boat.

Duck in water, possibly rescue boat.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin

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Great blue heron wading on Olmos Basin golf course.

Great blue heron wading on Olmos Basin golf course.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin

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People gather on McCullough Avenue to view the floodwaters at Olmos Basin Golf Course after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

People gather on McCullough Avenue to view the floodwaters at Olmos Basin Golf Course after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin / For The San Antonio Express-News

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A fence at Olmos Basin Golf Course is seen under water after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

A fence at Olmos Basin Golf Course is seen under water after heavy rains hit the city on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin / For The San Antonio Express-News

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Golf course looking from clubhouse on Basin across course to Basse.

Golf course looking from clubhouse on Basin across course to Basse.

Photo: Picasa, Glenda Wolin

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A kayaker pulls a raft with children around a flooded baseball park in San Antonio, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. San Antonio International Airport recorded more than nine inches of rain since midnight. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A kayaker pulls a raft with children around a flooded baseball park in San Antonio, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. San Antonio International Airport recorded more than nine inches of rain since ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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A kayaker pulls a raft with children around a flooded baseball park in San Antonio, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. San Antonio International Airport recorded more than nine inches of rain since midnight. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A kayaker pulls a raft with children around a flooded baseball park in San Antonio, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. San Antonio International Airport recorded more than nine inches of rain since ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Flood waters cover eight lanes of Highway 281, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The San Antonio International Airport by Saturday afternoon had recorded nearly 10 inches of rain since midnight. (AP ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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A man surveys floodwaters caused by heavy rains, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The city has received torrential rains since Friday evening and officials say numerous roads have been closed because of flash flooding. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

A man surveys floodwaters caused by heavy rains, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. The city has received torrential rains since Friday evening and officials say numerous roads have been closed because of ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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A flood gage shows waters just under 10 feet at an intersection, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A flood gage shows waters just under 10 feet at an intersection, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press

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Celia Olivarez sees the damage to her home which had several feet of floodwater in it on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood. Olivarez grew up in the home and lives there now with her family. less

Celia Olivarez sees the damage to her home which had several feet of floodwater in it on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood. Olivarez grew up in the home and ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Several feet of water flooded the Olivarez family home on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood.

Several feet of water flooded the Olivarez family home on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Celia Olivarez sees the damage to her home which was flooded with several feet of water on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood.

Celia Olivarez sees the damage to her home which was flooded with several feet of water on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Celia Olivarez, left, is overcome with emotion as she sees ruined photographs in her home as her niece, Veronica Martinez, holds photographs that are okay on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Olivarez grew up in the home and lives there now with her family. less

Celia Olivarez, left, is overcome with emotion as she sees ruined photographs in her home as her niece, Veronica Martinez, holds photographs that are okay on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Olivarez grew ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Valerie Wilfong cleans out flooded containers to pack with undamaged items at her aunt's home, which was flooded with several feet of water, on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from the neighborhood. less

Valerie Wilfong cleans out flooded containers to pack with undamaged items at her aunt's home, which was flooded with several feet of water, on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. 54 people were rescued from ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Celia Olivarez, left, cries upon seeing the damage to the room of her seven-year-old daughter while her niece, Veronica Martinez, comforts her and Sylvia Cantu, right, stands by to help the family recover items from the home which was flooded with several feet of water on Espada Rd. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Olivarez grew up in the home and lives there now with her family. less

Celia Olivarez, left, cries upon seeing the damage to the room of her seven-year-old daughter while her niece, Veronica Martinez, comforts her and Sylvia Cantu, right, stands by to help the family recover items ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Storm system formed far west of S.A. days ago

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Pat McDonald, a spokesman for the National Weather Service office in New Braunfels, said that the genesis of today's flooding actually started a couple of days ago when storms fired up in Mexico and over toward the Big Bend.

Those storms, which slowly migrated east Thursday and Friday, pushed ahead of them an outflow boundary — basically a wall of rain-cooled, dense air — that met up with warm, moist conditions already in place in the San Antonio area.

That collision of air masses, with low pressure as a catalyst, fueled quick-forming thunderstorms that formed and trained —roughly from south to north — across the area from Friday to Saturday midday.

Other areas to the west, including near Rocksprings, Leakey and Bandera, received up to 10 inches of rain in some spots.

“The whole system kept migrating this direction,” McDonald said. “We thought that once it got here, it would lose a lot of its energy and steam and punch. It would produce some thunderstorms, but not to the severity we saw today.”

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Instead, the series of storms forced McDonald's NWS office to issue seven river flood warnings, and eight flash flood warnings in and around San Antonio, including four for the city itself.

Also, three tornado warnings were issued, including at 6 a.m. for a possible touchdown of a twister near Rolling Oaks Mall near Loop 1604 and Interstate 35. Weather Service staff was headed out this afternoon to investigate whether any damage found was related to a tornado or straight-line winds from storms.

“You look at all the different parameters and models and say, 'This is going to happen, that's going to happen,'” McDonald said. “But you never forecast records.”

The city, which had seen an official 9.87 inches of rain by 2 p.m. — the second-highest total for any day in history — saw one mark set when the San Antonio River, where it crosses under Loop 410, crest at 34.2 feet at 10 a.m. That was more than seven feet above the major flooding stage and surpassed the old record of 32.57 feet set Oct. 17, 1998.

Leon Creek at I-35 rose to 27.5 feet, seven feet over major flood level, but failed to reach the old record of 29 feet. Salado Creek hit 18 feet, four feet over major-flood stage, but six feet shy of the all-time mark.

NWS officials are cautiously optimistic that heavy rains are done for the city, but caution that another small upper-air disturbance is in evidence far west of the city. If conditions allow, that could ignite more showers later today.